Intel Atom Z-Series PC/104 Single Board Computer

Aurora is a rugged, single board computer (SBC) based on the Intel Atom Z-Series CPUs and conforming to the compact, PC/104 form-factor. Aurora is powered by either an Atom Z530 at 1.6GHz or and Atom Z510 at 1.1GHz.

RSODIMM Module

The SBC supports either 1GB or 2GB of ruggedized DDR2 RSODIMM™ SDRAM. RSODIMM SDRAM is a new industry standard, expanding on the popular SO-DIMM format. RSODIMM extends the length of a standard SO-DIMM module, providing room for two mounting holes that are used to secure the memory module to the SBC, increasing resistance to shock and vibration. RSODIMM and SO-DIMM memory modules are electrically identical.

Aurora provides high-resolution LVDS and SDVO graphics interfaces. Additional I/O ports include SATA, USB, serial, digital I/O, and Gigabit Ethernet. Flexible system expansion is based on industry-standard, stackable PC/104 (ISA) and SUMIT-A (PCIe) modules. A location is also provided for an optional on-board USB flashdisk. Aurora's ruggedized RSODIMM SDRAM modules are securely affixed to the SBC through a pair of standoffs and screws, providing improved performance in high shock and vibration environments.

Aurora's power-efficient design leverages Intel's ultra-low-power (Menlow) silicon platform, consisting of the Atom Z5xx (Silverthorne) processors and US15W chipset (Poulsbo). Aurora utilizes conduction cooling for improved ruggedness and reliability through the use of a heatspreader. The CPU ICs are positioned on the bottom of the board, resulting in easy and efficient heat removal via the heatspreader for wide-temperature, fanless operation. The four mounting holes on the bottom of the conduction cooled heatspreader are #6-32 threaded holes on 2.8" centers.

Aurora is compatible with Linux, Windows XP, and Windows Embedded Standard. All necessary drivers are provided with the product.

The Aurora Development Kit (DK-AUR-01) provides all the components you need for fast and efficient embedded development. The kit includes an Aurora SBC, ACC-VGA-03, USB flashdisk with Linux pre-loaded, cable kit, power adapter cable, and software CD.

Software Development Kits are also available for Aurora for Linux (SDK-AUR-LNX) and Windows XP Embedded Standard (SDK-AUR-XPE) operating systems. Both software development kits come with a USB flashdisk pre-loaded with a bootable image of the operating system, a back up CD with the OS image, and documentation.

VGA output can be generated from Aurora through one of several add-on I/O boards. Each of these I/O boards converts the SDVO output from Aurora via an on-board circuit, and produces VGA output available on a pin header.

ACC-VGA-03 provides VGA output from Aurora as well as pass-through ISA and SUMIT-A buses

Corona COR-LAN2-XT is a dual Ethernet and dual USB SUMIT-ISM I/O module that also provides VGA output from Aurora SBCs

Aurora single board computers can be mounted inside Diamond's Pandora PC/104 enclosure with a cable-free panel I/O board to form a rugged, compact, completely self-contained industrial computer system. Aurora SBCs are available only in 1.7" tall Pandora enclosures, and no additional I/O cards may be stacked with Aurora in a Pandora enclosure. The Aurora panel I/O board (shown below) converts Aurora's pin headers to industry standard connectors for all I/O, additionally it converts Aurora's SDVO output to VGA output.

The Pandora enclosure, coupled with the panel I/O board, features fast and easy assembly due to the fact that most or all internal cables can be eliminated. Rather than requiring the installation of special corner mounts or forcing the stack into a set of corner guides, the entire stack is bolted directly to the front plate of the case, forming a rugged, easily-handled assembly. Click here for more information on the Pandora PC/104 Enclosure.

Transition Cables or PC-Style Connectors

All I/O on Aurora is made available on 2mm pitch pin headers for use with low-cost cables. To enhance the use of Aurora in harsh environments requiring outstanding resistance to shock and vibration, Diamond Systems offers our rugged Pandora PC/104 enclosure that provides a cable-free configuration via a small panel I/O board that installs directly on top of Aurora to instantly convert all I/O to PC-style connectors: